U.S. patent application number 11/058119 was filed with the patent office on 2006-08-17 for fiber-glow floormats.
Invention is credited to Michael Chen Lin.
Application Number | 20060181896 11/058119 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36815409 |
Filed Date | 2006-08-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060181896 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lin; Michael Chen |
August 17, 2006 |
Fiber-glow floormats
Abstract
This floormat is different from others floormats available
because the use of optical fibers. Fiber optic cables are placed in
the channels of the floormat and are connected to an onboard
battery charged light box that can be turned on or off by a rocker
switch. This creates a soft glowing light design at night.
Inventors: |
Lin; Michael Chen; (New
Braunfels, TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Michael Chen Lin
435 East Tanglewood Dr.
New Braunfels
TX
78130
US
|
Family ID: |
36815409 |
Appl. No.: |
11/058119 |
Filed: |
February 15, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
362/554 ;
362/488 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G02B 6/0005
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
362/554 ;
362/488 |
International
Class: |
G02B 6/04 20060101
G02B006/04 |
Claims
1. I claim that this invention will use optical fibers to provide
illumination on automobile floormats.
2. I claim that this invention has an onboard battery charged light
box which lights up the fiber optic cables.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] TABLE-US-00001 U.S. Patent Documents 4,517,631 May 14, 1985
Mullins 5,134,550 Jul. 28, 1992 Young 5,517,390 May 14, 1996 Zins
5,576,078 Nov. 19, 1996 Schatz 5,876,107 Mar. 2, 1999 Parker
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable
REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM
LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX
[0003] Not Applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] A. Field of Endeavor
[0005] The present invention is related to aesthetic fiber optic
illumination technologies.
[0006] B. Description of Information
[0007] Optical fibers are widely used in illumination and
communications. An optical fiber is highly flexible, transparent,
and is a light conductive material consists of a core surrounded by
protective sheath.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] This new automobile floormat uses fiber optic cables to
provide illumination. Fiber optic cables are being heat pressed in
to the channels of the floormat and is connected to an onboard
battery charged light box which can be turned on or off by a rocker
switch. The light box consist of reflective panels and an LED light
powered by two replaceable batteries. This floormat will provide
drivers and passengers with better vision and a pleasing view at
night when entering or exiting their vehicle. Most importantly, it
will function as same as other automobile floormats.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0009] FIG. 1 is a top view of the Fiber-Glow Floormat with fiber
optic cable and a light box.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a top view of the light box with an opening for
replacing batteries and LED light bulb.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a right side view of the light box (on FIG. 2)
with rocker switch (left) and a fiber optic cable (right).
[0012] FIG. 4A is a view of thin optical fibers bundled in a clear
sheath to form a cable.
[0013] FIG. 4B is a view of a single optic fiber with its diameter
equal to the sheath on FIG. 4A.
[0014] FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view of the fiber optic cable
in the channel of the floormat.
[0015] FIG. 5 is a top inner view of the light box. It clearly
identifies the two fiber optic cables, batteries, an LED light and
a rocker switch.
[0016] FIG. 6 is a view like FIG. 5 but with an extra fiber optic
cable placed in the center of the light box for lighted designs in
the center of the floormat.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0017] FIG. 1 is a completed fiber-glow floormat with a light box
located on the bottom center and a fiber optic cable (There are two
types of fiber optic cables available for illumination, side-glow
fiber optics and end-glow fiber optics. In this invention side-glow
fiber optic cables are being used) connected to both ends of the
light box. FIG. 2 is a top view of the light box with an opening
for replacing batteries and LED light bulb.
[0018] FIG. 3 is a right side view of the light box (on FIG. 2)
with a rocker switch (left) and a fiber optic cable coming out of
the light box (right).
[0019] FIG. 4A is a view of thin optical fibers bundled in a clear
sheath to form a cable and FIG. 4B is a view of a single optic
fiber with its diameter equal to the sheath on FIG. 4A. A fiber
optic bundled cable or a fiber optic cable will provide the same
lighted design on the floormat.
[0020] FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view of the fiber optic cable
in the channel of the floormat. The fiber optic cable is heat
pressed on to the floormat's channel. FIG. 5 is a top inner view of
the light box It clearly identifies the two fiber optic cables,
batteries, an LED light and a rocker switch. The LED side of the
light box is placed with reflective panels.
[0021] FIG. 6 is a top inner view like FIG. 5 but with an extra
fiber optic cable placed in the center of the light box for lighted
designs in the center of the floormat.
[0022] There are three parts needed to be made to create this
fiber-glow floormat, first, a floormat manufactory has to create a
floormat mold that will include channels that respect to the
diameter of fiber cables and a space for the light box Second,
fiber optic cables need to be purchased and shipped to the floormat
manufactory. Third, light boxes need to be purchased and shipped to
the floormat manufactory. Fiber optic cables and light boxes can be
heat pressed on to the mats at the floormat manufactory. The
purchaser of the floormat will need to install batteries in the
light box and place it on the floor board of the automobile. The
purchaser can turn on or off the light with the rocker switch when
desired.
* * * * *